Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Latest Sports Buzz

Latest Sports Buzz

SL vs Ind 2nd Test 3rd Day: India Fights Back

Posted: 28 Jul 2010 08:02 AM PDT

India vs Sri Lanka

India vs Sri Lanka

Colombo: The Sri Lanka vs. India 2nd test match saw some great batting action by the visiting side on the 3rd day. India seemed to have thrown the memory of Galle behind as the batting lin-up lead by the great master blaster Tendulkar fought back bravely trying to avoid the follow-on.

Tendulkar was seen making his 1st century in test cricket on Sri Lankan soil in the test match today, going on 108 not out. Partnering him were VVs Lakshman & s. Raina. While the batting order initially fell with Sehwag missing his century by just 1 run & opener M Vijay was taken by Mendis' googly but not before having a 165-run stand .

Rahul Dravid too disappointed with his batting. Lakshman too fell prey to Mendis' attack & that left Tendulkar & Raina to carry on the innings. The Sri Lanka vs. India 2nd test saw some lucky escapades as Tendulkar was dropped wicketkeeper Jaywardene.

Dilshan's appeal for Raina's wicket was turned down thought replays showed it might not have been a good decision. Awesome cricket was played by Tendulkar as he slammed Suraj Randiv for no less than 7 boundaries spanning all over the field.

His unbeaten 108 is his 48th test century. Raina too played a fair game rotating the strike with Sachin as they went for singles. He used Prasad for his boundaries 7 played the spinners quite well.

As India fought back today to avoid follow-on , it remains to be seen if they can conjure up the remaining 61 runs to accomplish their task.

Luke Young Likely To Be Transferred To Liverpool

Posted: 28 Jul 2010 03:30 AM PDT

luke young After Villa put up a half dozen players for bidding, it was reported that a club, which according to reports is Liverpool, is interested in bidding for Luke Young. He was transferred from Middlesbrough to Villa for 5mn pounds.

The transfer proved worth it as he becames one of the leading stars of the villa campaign.

But later due to injury problems and the death of his brother, Luke had to go on a leave during which time his position was taken over by Carlos Cuellar. Luke has experience playing as the right-back for his team.

Liverpool will be wanting to get this experience. Manager of Villa, Martin O’Neil said “There has been an offer from a football club which Luke is mulling over and, if it doesn’t materialise, then he would join us in Portugal (for the Guadiana Cup).”. There the case rests so far.

Maradona’s Dream Run Ends In A Nightmare

Posted: 28 Jul 2010 02:46 AM PDT

Maradona

Maradona

Maradona’s dream run has ended in a nightmare. The much touted comeback of the former 1986 world cup winner player, as the coach of his national team has ended with a humiliating finish.

It is being said that Maradona wanted to retain hi whole 2010 world cup team, which was criticized badly by the Argentina Football Association president Grondona.

This led to a backroom showdown between the two and when this was revealed to the executive committee, they decided against renewing his contract.

AFA has made a statement about the whole thing which says “The president of the Argentinian Football Association, Mr Julio Grondona, made the members of the executive committee aware of the conversation with Mr Diego Maradona, setting out the points which had come out from the meeting, The executive committee unanimously resolved not to renew the contract with Mr Diego Maradona as coach of the Argentina national football team.

Maradona’s requirements were very far from the FA’s possibilities. For the match against Spain, scheduled for September 7th, we may already have the new coach.”.To Maradona’s immidieate ouster Grondona said “It is difficult to agree. The hardest difference to agree on was changing some of Diego’s staff. Nobody has been sacked.A contract has not been extended because the conditions were not the suitable.”

A-Rod Stuck On 599 Homers; Yanks Edge Tribe

Posted: 28 Jul 2010 12:28 AM PDT

Todd Callahan – AHN Sports Reporter

Cleveland, OH, United States (AHN) – Alex Rodriguez was unable to join the 600 home run club, but teammates Curtis Granderson and Nick Swisher provided the power in lifting the Yankees to a 3-2 victory over the Indians Monday in Cleveland.

A-Rod, stuck on career home run 599 for the last four games, went 0-for-4, but Granderson provided the game-winning hit for the Yankees, who have won five of their last six games.

Trailing 2-1 in the top of the eighth inning, Granderson drove a pitch from Cleveland starter Jake Westbrook (6-7) into the right field stands for a two-run homer.

It was the outfielder’s 10th homer of the season and third in the last two games.

It also came against Westbrook, who had been shutting down the Yankees.

In addition to shutting down A-Rod, who had gone 6-for-17 since hitting No. 599 last Thursday against Kansas City, Westbrook had allowed just two hits for the first seven innings.

His lone mistake, prior to the eighth inning miscue to Granderson, was a solo home run to Swisher in the top of the fourth inning that tied the game at 1-all.

While Westbrook was cruising through the Yankee lineup, New York starter Javier Vazquez was keeping the American League East leaders in the game.

The right-hander struck out five in seven innings of work and scattered five hits to pick up his ninth win of the season.

Travis Hafner hit his ninth home run of the season in the bottom of the second for the first run of the game.

A two-out, RBI double by Shin-Soo Choo provided all the scoring for the Tribe, who have lost three in a row and four of their last five.

For A-Rod, he struck out swinging to lead off the second inning and flew into an inning-ending double play in the fourth frame.

He grounded out to shortstop in the seventh inning and concluded the night by popping up to first base.

Yankee closer Mariano Rivera, showcasing his 0.98 ERA, allowed just a hit in the ninth for his 21st save of the year.

Article © AHN – All Rights Reserved

Veteran Forward Kurt Thomas Signs With Bulls

Posted: 28 Jul 2010 12:28 AM PDT

Todd Callahan – AHN Sports Reporter

Chicago, IL, United States (AHN) – Fifteen-year NBA veteran Kurt Thomas signed a free agent deal Monday with the Chicago Bulls, helping bolster the team’s frontcourt.

Known more for his hard-nosed play more than his scoring ability, Thomas, averaging 8.8 points per game and 7.0 rebounds during his career, is playing for eighth NBA team.

“I feel great,” Thomas told Bulls.com while at the United Center taking a physical. “I’m definitely strong as ever both physically and mentally. Coming off of last year, I feel like I can still play at a high level. I have tried to carry that on into the summer, and I am really looking forward to training camp this year.”

Playing with the Bucks last season, Thomas averaged 3.0 points and 4.2 rebounds in 70 games. He averaged 15 minutes a night for the Bucks but proved he could still play in the postseason.

Filling in for the injured Andrew Bogut, who missed the entire first round playoff series with the Hawks, Thomas averaged 28.4 minutes a game and averaged 5.4 points and 7.9 rebounds per contest, as the Bucks stretched the Hawks to a deciding seventh game.

Thomas also has a connection with Bulls new coach Tom Thibodeau, who was an assistant when the 6-foot-9 power forward was with the Knicks.

“He has a tremendous knowledge of the game,” Thomas said of Thibodeau. “He’s a very hard worker—it seems like he eats and sleeps in the gym because he never leaves. He puts in the time to make sure his team is prepared.”

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Survey Evaluates Food Safety Issues Among Vendors In Canada, U.S. Sports Arenas

Posted: 27 Jul 2010 11:53 PM PDT

AHN News Staff

Toronto, Ontario, Canada (AHN) – A survey by sports cable channel ESPN identified the Air Canada Center and Rogers Center in Toronto as among the cleanest sports arena in Canada in terms of food safety. The two are among the 100 sports venues across North America where Major League Baseball, National Basketball Association, National Hockey League and National Football League hold their tournaments.

ESPN based its rankings on routine inspections and scores after the sports channel listed vendors’ violation of health standards.

Air Canada Center and Rogers Center both logged zero percent vendors’ violations. Air Canada is the home of the Maple Leafs and Raptors, while Rogers Center is home to the Blue Jays.

Outside Canada, U.S. sports arenas that scored high in the ESPN survey include the United Center, the U.S. Cellular Field, Wrigley Field, Gillette Stadium and the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. On the extreme end, vendors at Tropicana Field were considered the worst offenders of food safety standards.

Tropicana’s Canadian counterpart is the Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alberta. ESPN discovered that 25 percent of food booths at Rexall Place registered one or more violations of critical food safety standards in the last two years. The ESPN team found ground beef and cheese for pizza stored at wrong temperatures, and uncooked pizza left at room temperatures. There were also no sanitizer bottles or soaps for employees’ use.

Nyall Hislop of the Alberta Health Services explained the violations to the restaurants and kiosks being closed when the ESPN inspectors came.

Article © AHN – All Rights Reserved

HBO Sports Boss Disappointed Mayweather-PacMan Won`t Fight In 2010

Posted: 27 Jul 2010 11:53 PM PDT

Jojo Doria – AHN Sports Contributor

Las Vegas, NV, United States (AHN) – HBO Sports president Ross Greenburg is among the millions who were disappointed the mega-fight pitting pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao and undefeated Floyd Mayweather Jr. did not materialize.

After promoter Bob Arum’s deadline for a deal with Mayweather’s camp passed last week without a word from the American boxer, Pacquiao was forced to look for another opponent for his next bout in November which reportedly turned out to be the disgraced Antonio Margarito.

Despite the shelving of the Pacquiao-Mayweather fight at least for this year, unfinished business remain with regard to the mess created by the last week’s cliffhanger.

The main issue was whether there were indeed negotiations for the fight between the camps of Pacquiao and Mayweather.

Top Rank’s Arum, in various reports, insisted they were using Greenburg as an intermediary between the two fighters, a fact disputed by the camp of Mayweather.

In a statement Monday, Greenburg said, “Fights like Mayweather vs. Pacquiao are significant because of these fighters’ ability to connect with sports fans around the world. It’s unfortunate that it won’t happen in 2010.”

“I had been negotiating with a representative from each side since May 2nd, carefully trying to put the fight together. Hopefully, someday this fight will happen. Sports fans deserve it,” the HBO Sports boss added.

A few days after Arum surmised the progress of the talks, Leonard Ellerbe, one of Mayweather adviser and the public voice of the boxer, reportedly indicated that there had been any negotiations.

Richard Schaefer, who has promoted Mayweather’s past several fights, also disputed the reported negotiations and stood behind Ellerbe’s statement.

Meanwhile, there is still uncertainty as to where the November clash will take place as the former WBA and WBO welterweight champion Margarito is not currently licensed to fight in the United States.

The 32-year-old Margarito (37-8-0) had his license suspended, along with his trainer Javier Capetillo, after the California State Athletic Commission found a substance inside the Mexican’s gloves prior to a fight against “Sugar” Shane Mosley in 2009.

Pacquiao, (51-3-2), who was recently elected into Philippine Congress in May, will look for his 13th straight victory in November.

He is also seeking to add a record eighth world title in eight different divisions.

The 31-year-old Filipino boxing icon and Margarito will be contending for the vacant WBC Super Welterweight title.

Article © AHN – All Rights Reserved

Reports: Clippers Retain Butler; Odom Settles Feud With New Laker Barnes

Posted: 27 Jul 2010 07:55 PM PDT

AHN Sports Staff

Los Angeles, CA, United States (AHN) – The Los Angeles Clippers retained their best outside shooter from last season after reaching an agreement with Rasual Butler on a one-year deal, a league source disclosed Sunday.

The 31-year-old Butler reportedly decided to stay with the Clippers after being sought by several NBA title contenders this offseason.

Butler, who shot 36.6 percent from 3-point range last season, set a franchise record by hitting 145 3-pointers.

NBA followers believed the move to retain Butlerl was a win-win situation for the rebuilding Clippers.

Butler will likely see more playing time for the Clippers at small forward, while rookie forward Al-Farouq Aminu is still adjusting to play in the NBA.

Butler, who played for Miami and New Orleans early in his career, averaged 8.8 points and 2.7 boards over eight seasons.

Meanwhile, Los Angeles Lakers forward Lamar Odom shoved away his past feud with Matt Barnes, as he welcomed the newly-acquired Laker to the team.

Last season, Odom and Barnes were involved in a heated on-court discussion, which went on even after the game.

Odom called Barnes a monkey in a post-game interview, while the former Orlando Magic responded with an expletive-laced comment on his Twitter account: “Morning yall up early w/ the babies watchn Dora. Seems Lamar can’t keep my name out his mouth maby I need 2 put my sons [expletive] diaper n it [sic].”

Odom said his past feud with Barnes was over and he warmly welcomed him as his new teammate next season.

Barnes rejected a big offer from the Cleveland Cavaliers to play with the Lakers, signing a two-year, $3.6 million deal last week.

Article © AHN – All Rights Reserved

Phillies Hold Off Rockies, Complete Series Sweep

Posted: 27 Jul 2010 07:55 PM PDT

Jojo Doria – AHN Sports Contributor

Philadelphia, PA, United States (AHN) – Backup catcher Brian Schneider smacked a two-run triple and Joe Blanton hurled six solid innings, as the Philadelphia Phillies completed a four-game sweep of the Colorado Rockies 5-4 Monday at Citizens Bank Park.

It was the second straight home sweep for the Phillies (53-46), who moved within 4 1/2 games of idle East-leading Atlanta.

Trailing 2-0 entering the second frame, the two-time National League champs took the lead for good with Schneider drawing first blood with his first triple since September of 2007.

Philadelphia then added two runs in the sixth to secure the win.

Despite a shaky start, Blanton (4-6) managed to register his first victory since beating Cleveland on June 24.

The Phillies right-hander, who has never faced Colorado in the regular season, yielded two runs in the first and allowed six hits before being pulled after six frames with a 5-2 advantage.

Brad Lidge escaped a bases-loaded jam in the ninth inning to earn his 10th save in 13 chances.

Losing pitcher Jason Hammel (7-6) was charged with five runs and seven hits over five-plus innings of work for the Rockies, who stumbled to their six straight loss and will go home after a 2-9 road trip.

Article © AHN – All Rights Reserved

Federer Hires Annacone In Effort To Raise Play

Posted: 27 Jul 2010 07:55 PM PDT

Jojo Doria – AHN Sports Contributor

Miami, FL, United States (AHN) – Swiss tennis superstar Roger Federer, who recently slipped to No. 3 in the ATP rankings, is reportedly set to work with Pete Sampras’ former coach Paul Annacone on a trial basis to improve his form.

In a statement on his Web site Monday, the 28-year-old Federer, who seeks to regain his No. 1 ranking in men’s tennis, said “I’ve been looking to add someone to my team, and I’ve decided to spend some days with Paul.”

The Swiss master, who has appeared in every Wimbledon final since 2003, was pushed to his current ranking after getting stunned by Tomas Berdych in the quarterfinals at the All England Club this year.

It is the lowest ranking since Nov. 10, 2003 for Federer, who relinquished the top spot to arch rival Rafael Nadal after the Spaniard won the French Open.

At the Roland Garros event, Federer failed to defend his title after Sweden’s Robin Soderling sent him packing in the quarterfinals.

That exit ended Federer’s record streak of reaching the semis in 23 straight major tournaments.

His most recent title came in January at the Australian Open, where he won his record 16th Grand Slam championship.

Federer has worked with Australian coaches Peter Carter, who passed away in 2002, and Tony Roche, who severed ties with the player in 2007.

The struggling Federer, who has been guided by his native country’s Davis Cup captain Severin Luthi since the spit from Roche, could be accompanied by Annacone in Toronto, where he is slated to play his first post-Wimbledon tournament.

“As Paul winds down his responsibilities working for the Lawn Tennis Association, we will explore our relationship through this test period. Paul will work alongside my existing team, and I am excited to learn from his experiences,” the former world No. 1 Swiss indicated on his Web site.

Federer trails No. 1 Nadal and No. 2 Novak Djokovic.

Article © AHN – All Rights Reserved
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